Over
20 Arrested After a 6 Month Drug Enforcement Administration/Mobile
Enforcement Team and Region II Narcotics Task Force Operation that
Focused on Methamphetamine Traffickers in the San Juan County Area

On
January 23, 2006, the San Juan County Region II Narcotics Task Force,
Farmington Police Department, Bloomfield Police Department, Aztec Police
Department, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State
Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)/Mobile Enforcement
Team (MET) concluded a six month state and federal drug investigation
that targeted violent domestic and international narcotics traffickers
in the San Juan County, New Mexico area. This cooperative multi-agency
operation resulted in the arrest of over 20 individuals that are or
will be indicted for federal narcotics violations.

This investigation
was initiated in response to increased gang and drug related violence
due to drug trafficking activity which has beleaguered Farmington,
New Mexico and the San Juan County community in recent years.

Arrest and search
warrants effected throughout the course of the joint investigation
led to the seizure of money, weapons, vehicles, recovery of stolen
property, and the arrest of other defendants on outstanding state warrants
and other drug related state charges.

Through the multilateral
exertion put forth by San Juan County Region II Narcotics Task Force,
Farmington Police Department, Bloomfield Police Department, Aztec Police
Department, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State
Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration DEA/MET disrupted several
local narcotics trafficking organizations importing and distributing
cocaine and methamphetamine in the San Juan County area.

During the operation,
the Region II Narcotics Task Force and DEA/MET team identified two
separate and significant drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) operating
in the greater San Juan County area that were headed and directed by
Mexican Nationals.

These two DTOs were
directing and facilitating the transportation and distribution of multi-pound
quantities of methamphetamine from the Republic of Mexico via Phoenix,
Arizona, into San Juan County on a weekly basis. As a result of this
operation, these two DTOs were severely disrupted and their distribution
network was dismantled.

“The number
of suspects charged and state/local law enforcement agencies involved
in this operation is an indicator of the hard work and long hours spent
on this investigation. All officers and agents who took part are to
be commended for their dedicated service to the public, and their communities,” said
Zoran B. Yankovich, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s El Paso
Field Division.

This joint investigation
resulted in the seizure of approximately 19 pounds of methamphetamine,
4 ½ pounds of cocaine, 60 pounds of marijuana, $10,010 dollars
in U.S. Currency, 5 vehicles and 15 firearms. The Albuquerque, New
Mexico United State’s Attorney’s Office is preparing to
prosecute the federal defendants. The investigation into other identified
DTOs continues.

If found guilty;
defendants will face a minimum/mandatory sentence of 5-40 or 10 years
to life in Federal Prison. All defendants are presumed innocent unless
and until convicted through due process of the law.

For additional information
contact Ken Christesen, Director of Region II Narcotics Task Force
at 505-566-2222 or DEA Demand Reduction Coordinator and Public Information
Officer, Special Agent David Monnette at 915-832-6000.